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Showing posts from September, 2021

Should Merchants Launch Their Own Marketplaces?

For manufacturers, distributors, and enterprise retailers, owning a marketplace could be a competitive advantage and a key to business growth. The post Should Merchants Launch Their Own Marketplaces? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Y7SM5k

September 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts

Since 2005 we’ve published thousands of articles, webinars, and podcast episodes to assist ecommerce merchants. What follows are the most popular articles that we published in September 2021. Articles from early in the month are more likely to make the list than later ones. The post September 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kQwjSF

How to Sell On Etsy Successfully (While Maintaining Your Independence)

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There’s no doubt that Etsy is a fantastic place to make money selling handmade items. But, selling on Etsy also comes with some limitations—you get access to buyers already browsing Etsy's marketplace, but you have to play by their rules. Here's how to take advantage of Etsy without forfeiting your independence. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2YaLC00

Product Photography, Part 7: Magnification and Close-ups

The best product photos provide online shoppers with precise detail to know what to expect when the goods arrive. Specialty magnified shots can help. This is the seventh post in my series on helping ecommerce merchants elevate their product photography. The post Product Photography, Part 7: Magnification and Close-ups appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3iiFz0e

Kid-Powered Businesses: 12 Ideas for Future CEOs

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Starting a kid-friendly business is a fun family activity that has learning baked in. Plus, it’s a way for kids to make money to save for college—or Nerf Blasters. Here, we’ll share 12 small business ideas for kids to start from home. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3ihcSAS

17 Useful UX and UI Design Tools

User experience and user interface tools can help with every stage of website and mobile-app design — from early whiteboard brainstorming to testing your prototype with end-users. Here is a list of useful UX and UI design tools. The post 17 Useful UX and UI Design Tools appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3m7d8Dr

How Masks For Dogs Landed a Deal on Shark Tank

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Kirby Holmes worried about the impact of wildfires on animals and began creating air-filtering masks for dogs. After launching his company K9 Mask, Kirby ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, which led to an appearance on Shark Tank. On this episode of Shopify Masters, Kirby shares his tips for creating content marketing, building an email list, and selecting tools for an ideal tech stack. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/39G8o1U

5 Ways Reddit Helps an Ecommerce Brand

Reddit is among the most visited sites worldwide. I addressed Reddit and Quora last month, explaining the dos and don'ts for marketers. Reddit has a strict no-self-promotion policy. Still, it offers a venue to further a brand and establish expertise. The post 5 Ways Reddit Helps an Ecommerce Brand appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2ZpqrYf

How to Make Money on TikTok: 8 Ideas for Monetization

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What if your goofy faces and passionate lip-syncs could make you a millionaire?  If you’re looking to leverage TikTok’s massive user base in building your audience, here’s a look at the monetization strategies of the social media platform's top creators.  More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3AMsrYj

The 25 Best Website Designs—and the Creative Businesses That Power Them

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“Best web design” lists often feature award-winning websites that are visually fascinating but sluggish and serve a single purpose. We wanted to flip the script a bit—that’s why our list will only feature beautiful, functional websites that power successful businesses. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2ZAu8dV

The Emergence of B2B Raw Material Marketplaces

Business-to-business marketplaces are among ecommerce's leading growth trends, yet many industries remain under-served, especially for raw materials. The post The Emergence of B2B Raw Material Marketplaces appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kJwjDO

How to Start a Pet Business (Plus Ideas and Examples from Top Brands)

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Want to sell in a multibillion-dollar industry with passionate customers? Then the pet industry is for you. In this guide, learn how to start a pet business, from successful ideas to creating your products, marketing, and more. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2uCIYBu

Lessons from Bankruptcy Drive Ecom Agency Founder

Josh Durham knows the downside of entrepreneurship. He founded an ecommerce company in 2015 and quickly grew revenue. Then it went out of business. Fast forward to 2021 and Durham has bounced back. He launched a successful marketing agency, Aligned Growth Management, that builds on his own early-day lessons. The post Lessons from Bankruptcy Drive Ecom Agency Founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3AEd843

Supply Chain Problems Upend the Global Economy

Nothing highlighted the United States’ reliance on foreign manufactured goods more than the Covid-19 pandemic. The post Supply Chain Problems Upend the Global Economy appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lTDybR

DTC Brands, Amid Disruptions, Should Seek New Sales Channels

Starting a digital direct-to-consumer brand has never been easier. But growing that brand into a successful business may have become more difficult. The post DTC Brands, Amid Disruptions, Should Seek New Sales Channels appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kxAxhN

Remove These Distractions to Lower Cart Abandons

Cart abandonment rates remain high. I've seen estimates in 2021 ranging from 50% to 80% depending on the product and industry. A common culprit is sticker shock from excessive shipping and handling fees. Another is distractions: unnecessary or confusing checkout fields. In this post, I'll address steps to streamline checkouts to save the sale. The post Remove These Distractions to Lower Cart Abandons appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3o1qNP5

Ask an Expert: What Is ReactJS?

“Ask an Expert” is an occasional feature where we pose questions to ecommerce practitioners. For this installment, we’ve turned to Rajesh Bhimani, founder Skynet Technologies, a web development firm. He addresses the purpose and popularity of ReactJS. The post Ask an Expert: What Is ReactJS? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3tWyw1Q

Product Photography, Part 6: Selecting a Lens

Choosing the best camera lens depends on the products you’re shooting and on the camera itself. This is the sixth post in my series to help ecommerce merchants take better product photos. “Part 1” addressed the importance of backdrops. “Part 2” explained tripods. “Part 3” examined the fundamentals of artificial lighting. “Part 4” reviewed angles and viewpoints, and “Part 5” described how to select a camera. The post Product Photography, Part 6: Selecting a Lens appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3ztxrQb

Stirring up the Cereal Market and Pouring into National Grocery Chains

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Three Wishes Cereal was created by Margaret and Ian Wishingard when they wanted to create higher protein and lower sugar cereals for their son Ellis. In this episode of Shopify Masters, Margaret shares with us how they entered into national grocery stores and gained press early in their business journey. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2XuJvDA

How to Start a Skincare Line: 11 Lessons From a Serial Beauty Entrepreneur

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Megan Cox woke up one morning to discover she had made $10,000 in sales overnight. At the time, she was an MIT student with a newly launched skincare line—her first foray into entrepreneurship. After growing that business, she sold it to open a beauty lab, helping many others like her enter the beauty game. Here, she shares her hard-learned lessons and advice for how to start a skincare line. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2ZaIWzz

12 New Ecommerce Books for Fall 2021

Here’s a batch of new ecommerce books for your fall reading list. There are titles on branding, social media marketing, personalized customer experience, entrepreneurship, and the post-pandemic workplace. I compiled this list using Amazon. From Amazon’s “Books” category, I selected “Business & Money.” From there I chose the “Processes & Infrastructure” sub-category and selected “E-commerce.” The post 12 New Ecommerce Books for Fall 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3tTVG97

Will Supportive Spending Impact Ecommerce?

The pandemic changed how shoppers think about life generally and the products they use specifically, according to reports from Google, Accenture, and others. This includes picking brands and products for ethical reasons instead of economic ones. The post Will Supportive Spending Impact Ecommerce? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/39jKwkD

A Perfect Storm for 2021 Holiday Email Marketing

Labor shortages, pent-up consumer demand, and supply chain disruptions could dramatically impact retailers this holiday season. And adding privacy changes on Apple's new iOS 15 means email marketers face a perfect storm of uncertainty. The post A Perfect Storm for 2021 Holiday Email Marketing appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2XEsXtg

Should DTC Brands Sell to Mass Merchandisers?

Beardbrand's products are in all 2,000 Target stores. Lindsey Reinders, my business partner, drove that project in 2018. Selling products to mass merchandisers is a goal of many direct-to-consumer ecommerce brands. Has selling to Target worked out for Beardbrand? I asked Lindsey that question and more. The post Should DTC Brands Sell to Mass Merchandisers? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/39c8dLy

What Makes a Good Ecommerce Brand?

Helen Vaid is CEO of Foundry, a business aggregator that buys and grows commerce brands. She believes the explosion of products and seemingly unlimited consumer choice mean brands must do more than merely sell goods and services. The post What Makes a Good Ecommerce Brand? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3zgdFaV

Ecommerce Product Releases: September 16, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-September from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on team productivity tools, small business financing, subscription sales, logistics, and managing campaigns on Amazon. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: September 16, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3hDgyMZ

Starting Your First Venture? Here’s What You Need to Become a Business Owner

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Despite the pandemic and economic downturn in 2020, new businesses are on the rise, according to data from the US Census Bureau. Want to start your new venture? Learn what a business owner is, types of business ownership, and tips for becoming a successful business owner in this guide. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2XiVELK

Influencer Marketing Part 6: Pitching

Prospective influencers likely know little about your company or its products. They're not necessarily interested in promoting. You have to pitch them. Welcome to "Part 6" of my influencer marketing series. The post Influencer Marketing Part 6: Pitching appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3EjWfOa

An Introduction to NFTs

Non-fungible tokens are a hot topic. Some claim that NFTs are the future of artwork — viable, profitable investments. Detractors wonder if NFTs are a short-term novelty. In this post, I'll describe NFTs and how they are created, purchased, and sold. The post An Introduction to NFTs appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3CfIz5e

How to Start a Skincare Line: 11 Lessons From a Serial Beauty Entrepreneur

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Megan Cox woke up one morning to discover she had made $10,000 in sales overnight. At the time, she was an MIT student with a newly launched skincare line—her first foray into entrepreneurship. After growing that business, she sold it to open a beauty lab, helping many others like her enter the beauty game. Here, she shares her hard-learned lessons and advice for how to start a skincare line. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2iJF5U8

Product Photography, Part 5: Choosing a Camera

I'm frequently asked to recommend a camera. Sometimes folks inquire about the camera I use to display my artwork online. But both queries miss the point. Knowing how to use a camera is far more important than the unit itself. Nonetheless, choosing a suitable camera is critical. The post Product Photography, Part 5: Choosing a Camera appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/396JQyS

The Preordering Model that Scaled a Hobby Into a Business

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Sarah Resnick fell in love with all things fiber when she was given a pair of knitting needles at the age of seven. As she progressed through life, she made her own clothes, learned how to spin wool and weave textiles. In 2017, Sarah took the plunge and threaded her experiences together to launch Gist Yarn. For this episode of Shopify Masters, Sarah shares how preorders and systems thinking helped her to scale a hobby into a profitable business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3z9Ne6P

3 Optimizations for Google Shopping Campaigns

The benefits of Google Shopping are compelling. Advertisers consistently experience strong revenue, traffic, and return on ad spend while often paying less per click than standard search campaigns. Still, the performance of Google Shopping ads, like all ads, could plateau. Thus continuous optimizations are key to sustaining results. The post 3 Optimizations for Google Shopping Campaigns appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3k6tj4b

21 New Social Media Tools for Merchants in 2021

New and updated social media tools can enhance an ecommerce business. Here is a list of new social media tools and platform updates in 2021. There are tools for shopping, influencer marketing, live streaming, payments, dynamic advertising, and more. The post 21 New Social Media Tools for Merchants in 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3z5ibZB

Your Starter Guide to YouTube Marketing: Tips, Strategies, and Tools

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YouTube is the second largest search engine globally, with over 2.3 billion active monthly users. If you’re an online business, you want to have a presence on YouTube to get leads and sales. Learn how to start marketing yourself on YouTube in this guide. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3k0GTWP

Software Exec Shifts to Bicycle Components, and Thrives

Brian De Groodt launched Dispatch Custom Cycling Components in 2018 after a long career in enterprise software. The company sells bicycle headset caps, which sit atop the stem connecting handlebars to the frame. Customers can customize the caps, adding uniqueness to their bikes. The post Software Exec Shifts to Bicycle Components, and Thrives appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3z5yt4B

Will the Creator Economy Embrace Ecommerce?

As the so-called creator economy evolves and expands, ecommerce could become a significant revenue channel, helping to create new business models and drive the development of new commerce platforms. The terms "creator" and "creator economy" are a little ambiguous. The post Will the Creator Economy Embrace Ecommerce? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2XcGb07

Ecommerce Briefs: Amazon v. Walmart, Prime Members, E.U. Sellers

“Ecommerce Briefs” is my occasional series on news and developments that impact online merchants. In this installment, I’ll focus on Amazon's omnichannel growth and Prime membership, as well as acquisitions of third-party Amazon sellers in Europe. The post Ecommerce Briefs: Amazon v. Walmart, Prime Members, E.U. Sellers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jUZ9kd

Is Your Customer Acquisition Cost Sustainable? Benchmarks for Every Industry

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You want as many customers as possible, but at what cost? Spend too little and you miss out on sales; spend too much and you quickly become unprofitable. But let's not pull out the calculus textbooks just yet. There's a simpler way to pulse check whether your customer acquisition strategy is on track and sustainable—and that's to look at solid benchmark data .  More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2WYtjL3

11 Product Page Features to Drive Conversions

When it comes to compelling product pages, less can be more. Cluttered pages distract from selling points. Focus on the crucial details. Embrace a minimalist approach to lessen the thinking process and close the sale. What follows are 11 product page features from three online stores. The post 11 Product Page Features to Drive Conversions appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2X4QRxL

What is a Personal Brand? 7 Steps to Building the Business of You

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A personal brand is more than a résumé, more than an elevator pitch or a social bio. It’s a code you live by in every way that you engage and operate in the world. Here, we’ll take you step by step through the process of building your own personal brand that packages the best you in a way that resonates with your target audience. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3l1VBMr

3 Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs

Lowering shipping costs is a surefire way to improve profits. Same-day delivery, free shipping, standard transit, click-and-collect — all are candidates for cost reductions.  The post 3 Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3zQHtfq

20 Free Color Design Tools and Tutorials

Choosing colors is among the most important design decisions for a logo, brand, or website. People decide whether to buy a product or service mainly by what they see. Fortunately, there are free tools to help pick the right colors for your business. Here is a list of tools and tutorials on color design. The post 20 Free Color Design Tools and Tutorials appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3yS9LVx

How Camille Brinch Went from Maker to Multimillion Dollar Jewelry Brand

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, Camille Brinch and brother Daniel share how they’ve turned a passion for jewelry making into a multimillion-dollar direct-to-consumer brand. Learn how the brand acts as an influencer, operates without discounts, and plans to expand into retail.  Camille Brinch fell in love with making her own jewelry and started to make items for others from a shed in her parents’ backyard. Over the years with the help of her brother Daniel, the siblings turned this passion into a seven-figure brand. In this episode of Shopify Masters, learn how the brand operates as an influencer, without discounting, and plans to expand into physical retail. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3n8WQw7

Privacy Changes to Streaming Ads Are Coming

Connected television, a rising star in the targeted, programmatic advertising industry, will soon be impacted by new privacy measures. Connected television is often called CTV or OTT. The latter stands for "over the top" and is reminiscent of cable boxes or Roku devices that sat over the top of televisions. The post Privacy Changes to Streaming Ads Are Coming appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kXfF2A

Product Photography, Part 4: Angles and Viewpoints

Angles matter in product photography. They expose details of products, helping shoppers make informed decisions. Plus, shoppers who cannot see the particulars of a product will not likely buy it. This is the fourth post in my series on helping ecommerce merchants take better product photos. The post Product Photography, Part 4: Angles and Viewpoints appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Vnhygo

Foundr Owner on Burnout, Recovery, Priorities

Nathan Chan seemingly had it all. His business, Foundr, is hugely successful, combining media with entrepreneurship training. He interacts with prominent global founders. Then came burnout. The post Foundr Owner on Burnout, Recovery, Priorities appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jDHoWG

Creators, It's Time to Protect Your Independence

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The creator economy, defined by creators monetizing audiences ushered in an era of independence. Creators wield massive influence, with platforms wooing them with funding, brands clamoring for partnerships, and devotees gobbling up any product they promote. But they are doing so on borrowed land. The path to protecting independence for some 50 million creators is simple: ownership. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3t8NaTr

Ramping Up Google Analytics 4

I first addressed Google Analytics 4 last fall. It is becoming the go-to platform in Google's analytics ecosystem. The older version, Universal Analytics, will eventually sunset. For now, continue using Universal Analytics while ramping up GA4. The post Ramping Up Google Analytics 4 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3zEmexi

5 Content Marketing Ideas for October 2021

In October 2021, your content marketing could feature product-focused tutorials, storytelling, and annual observances, such as a little holiday called Halloween. Content is an integral part of ecommerce marketing. The post 5 Content Marketing Ideas for October 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3Bu6AF8